Shows
Kolbecast273 Inspiration for Every Homeschool Journey - Kolbecast Conference 2025AMDG. What if you could listen to incredible keynote speakers at a conference, without even leaving your home? With the Kolbecast Conference, now you can!
The Kolbecast Conference is a three-day program of curated episodes covering a range of topics from classical education, homeschooling, faith, mental health, childhood emotional regulation, and so much more. Enjoy lectures from keynote speakers such as University of Mary president Msgr. James Shea, Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Majeres, as well as writer and translator Dr. Anthony Esolen. Explore breakout-session sessions with guest speakers including the hosts of the "More2Life" podcast and fo...
2025-08-2040 minKolbecast272 Healthy Mom, Healthy Family with Dr. Chris StroudAMDG. "I went to medical school because I knew I couldn't get into law school."
Catholic board-certified OB-GYN and host of the podcast Doctor Doctor Chris Stroud, M.D., wants more Catholics in medical school. "Catholic students are running as fast as they can away from pediatrics," Chris explains. Controversial life and gender issues have led many Catholic students to seek other professions. "People think, 'I'm going to be confronted with contraception on the very first day-- no thanks.’" Potential medical students are afraid that they will be forced to choose between job security and their values, but...
2025-08-1353 minKolbecast271 Building a Literary FoundationAMDG. Are you looking for the perfect book to take your child’s reading to the next level? Look no further than Kolbe’s newly updated Literature & Catholic National Reader program for elementary students!
Originally published in 1895, the Catholic National Readers became a staple in many Catholic homes. “We started with the idea of just redoing them, making the font size appropriate and following standards,” Senior Curriculum Developer Maggie Hayden explains. But the project quickly developed into something more.
Under the artful guidance of Curriculum Developer Mara Matteoli, the classic texts blossomed into a fully-fledged reading and...
2025-08-0644 minKolbecast270 Dr. Peter Kreeft on Joy, Suffering, Conversion, and TruthAMDG. “It’s almost as if I pity God because he has to choose between giving us more sufferings and making us sorrowful but wiser or giving us less sufferings and making us happier but more foolish.”
Professor of Philosophy at Boston College and author of over 100 books Dr. Peter Kreeft shares his reflection on today’s academic culture, emphasizing the importance of the Socratic method and a sturdy foundation in Thomistic philosophy. Dr. Kreeft dives deep into the themes of faith, happiness, and truth as he shares his conversion story, retold in his book From Calvinist to Catholic...
2025-07-3057 minKolbecast269 Resources & Road Maps - Student Support ServicesAMDG. “Catholic schools should help all students— we should serve you and help you.”
How can Kolbe Academy help a child who has learning disabilities? Student Services Director Karen Allgood and special education teachers Karen Painter and Emmanuelle Wilhelm share their experiences as parents, teachers, and mentors of students with learning differences. The trio provides a step-by-step guide for parents hoping to utilize Kolbe's services, from interpreting assessment results to individualized course planning and tutoring services. Whatever level of support you need, Kolbe has options. See the link below to learn more.
Links mentioned & relevant:
Kolbe...
2025-07-2343 minKolbecast268 Pilgrimage & Jubilee with Our Lady of ChampionAMDG. Have you ever wanted to see a Marian apparition site? You don't even have to leave the country to do so-- Champion, WI, is home to the only approved Marian apparition site in the U.S.
Fr. Nathan Mudd, chaplain at Our Lady of Champion Shrine, shares the story of Our Lady of Champion and Adele Brise, a woman Fr. Mudd hopes to see canonized soon. Fr. Mudd discusses his life as travelling missionary and how his background as a Kolbe graduate influences him today. As a member of the Fathers of Mercy, Fr. Mudd has dev...
2025-07-1643 minKolbecast267 Time Travel through History - Bringing the Past to Life for Young LearnersAMDG. How do you teach history to elementary school students? Kolbe’s new elementary history program has everything you need and more!
The developers and editors of the elementary history course, Stephanie Foley and Heather Griffin, want the stories of history to come alive in your living room, creating a spark of lasting wonder in every young reader.
An integrative and interactive course, Kolbe’s elementary history helps students contextualize major historical events using familiar Bible stories and encourages students to draw connections between historical characters and their own lives.
The history texts cater to...
2025-07-0953 minKolbecast266 Viriditas - Leila Lawler on St. Hildegard's GardenAMDG. What did people know in the Middle Ages that we are only now rediscovering?
Blogger of “Like Mother, Like Daughter” Substack contributor, author, and podcaster Leila Lawler joins the Kolbecast to discuss the new book, “St. Hildegard’s Garden: Recipes and Remedies for Healing Body and Soul.” Prompted by pharmaceutical shortages, Leila asked herself: “What did people do before ibuprofen?” Leila began researching and creating her own homeopathic remedies, drawing inspiration from St. Hildegard’s work. Leila shares some of the most efficacious remedies she has tried, the flaws in the modern medical system, and what St. Hildegard can...
2025-07-0259 minKolbecast265 Chosen to Be a Saint - Commencement 2025AMDG. The Kolbe Academy Class of 2025 has graduated, and it’s time to celebrate! Kolbe Chaplain Fr. Charlie Archer, Executive Director Mary Rowles, Kolbe teacher Brendan Murphy, President of Walsh University Dr. Tim Collins, and three accomplished Kolbe graduates take the stage to share their reflections on Kolbe’s education and their rousing exhortations for the Class of 2025.
Related Kolbecast episodes:
100 In the Beginning with Kolbe Academy co-founder Mrs. Dianne Muth
132 Monday Morning Assembly and 242 Finish Line in Sight featuring student speakers Dhilan Matthews & Colin Lengyel
Episodes with Brendan Murphy: 169 No Made-Up Answers and 218 The Questions behind the...
2025-06-251h 06Kolbecast264 Spiritual Friendship featuring Fr. Wayne SattlerAMDG. “Sister, is God a person for you, or an idea?”
Diocesan priest, author, and former hermit Fr. Wayne Sattler joins the Kolbecast to share his life-story from high school teacher to almost-married to hermit; his two books, which originated in his notes from years leading spiritual retreats; spiritual direction, or as he prefers to call it, “spiritual friendship”; relating to God as a person, not as an idea, which is the theme of one of his books; and so much more. Fr. Sattler’s humor, hope, and humility shine through every story he tells, and his words reflec...
2025-06-181h 06Kolbecast263 Exploring God's Cosmos - Astronomy for Everyday PeopleAMDG. In Kolbe’s new astronomy program, the sky’s the limit of what students can learn. Astronomy teacher Antonia Castro and course developer Vanessa Delgado are here to discuss the third quadrivium subject and Kolbe’s updated astronomy program. The duo examine why astronomy is the “mother of the scientific field” and explain their efforts to bring students a foundational experience in applied mathematics and physics, while also sparking wonder at the grandeur of God’s creation. “Everything is difficult if you don’t know what it is,” Antonio reflects. “But once you start looking into it, step by step, it’s easy,”...
2025-06-1156 minKolbecast262 Childlike Joy for Our New Pope with Katie BognerAMDG. “Don’t feel like it’s too late— you can pick this up and study and learn about it anytime you want.”
Author of the brand-new book We Have a Pope Katie Bogner and Kolbe kindergarten teacher Kimberly Wolf join the Kolbecast to share their experience talking to young students about the new pope and papal election process. Katie explains the inspiration behind her new book, how she simplified her explanation of a papal conclave to make it appropriate for young readers, and what her writing process looks like (“They have all actually started as really detailed spread...
2025-06-0455 minKolbecast260 Lisa Popcak on Flow & Connection through LearningAMDG. Catholic podcaster and co-founder/vice-president of CatholicCounselors.comLisa Popcak shares her wisdom on homeschooling and raising children in the faith. Lisa advocates for “flow” rather than structure in the homeschool day and paints a picture of what a rich— but achievable— prayer life looks like in a busy home. “We have to get away from the idea that our prayer life has to be rigorous,” Lisa says. “If our children are called to a rigorous monastic life, God will give them the grace for that. We have many saints who were… and many saints who went a different way.”
2025-05-2144 minKolbecast259 Seeing the Story - Classical Reflections on ArtAMDG. “I always knew I liked these things and I knew they were beautiful, but now I know why.”
In a special sneak peek episode, Kolbe Academy team members Carol Gilpin, Stephanie Foley, and Therese Prudlo join the Kolbecast to discuss the brand new art history and architecture book. The trio discusses the layout of the new art book, revealing the thought process and design work that went into the new text. “It’s like we’re having a conversation with that artist… a real human connection,” Stephanie reflects.
Whether you are considering purchasing this book for your childr...
2025-05-1459 minKolbecast258 Seeking, Finding, and Building Community -- Groups & ExtracurricularsAMDG. Do you worry about finding a strong community for your children outside the home? Homeschooling moms Dee-dee and Krysten join the Kolbecast to share about their homeschool communities. Filled with practical advice and anecdotes from their years of experience, Dee-dee and Krysten’s conversation makes building a thriving community feel accessible to anyone.
Dee-dee started her own homeschooling group after moving to an area that didn’t have a strong homeschooling community. What started as a small gathering in Dee-dee’s household snowballed into a huge community of homeschool families. “The most successful groups are the ones that g...
2025-05-0757 minKolbecast255 Family Life as Liturgy with Dr. Greg PopcakAMDG. Host of EWTN’s More2Life podcast, founder of CatholicCounselors.com, and developer of the CatholicHÔM app Greg Popcak joins the Kolbecast to share his wisdom on making your home into a living, vibrant domestic church. “What does a domestic church spirituality even look like,” Dr. Popcak asks, “that would treat family life— the craziness, the busyness, the scatteredness of family life— as a feature, not a bug, of Catholic spirituality?”
In today’s episode, Dr. Popcak reveals his insights from years of counseling homeschooling families and parents, including some common pitfalls to beware of; explains what an “em...
2025-04-1649 minKolbecast254 Art & Laraine Bennett Offer Freedom from AnxietyAMDG. Clinical counselor Art and psychologist Laraine Bennett join the Kolbecast to discuss anxiety and mental health, the temperaments, their recent publications, and so much more.
Art and Laraine talk about how anxiety can manifest dramatically differently in different people, and how to identify it in your life or in the lives of your children; explain what anxiety is and how to approach it; break down what NOT to do if you recognize anxiety in your children, and present helpful strategies you can implement in your home today; and the tie between scrupulosity and anxiety.
Links...
2025-04-0957 minKolbecast250 Made for Relationship featuring Kenna MilleaAMDG. Clinical Director and Co-Founder of the Martin Center for Integration and host of This Whole Life podcast Kenna Millea joins the Kolbecast to discuss the ins and outs of relationships under a Catholic lens. “If you don’t like relationships here,” Kenna comments. “I think heaven’s going to be a big bummer— because that’s what it’s going to be.”
Kenna offers her expert insight into common challenges in family dynamics, from the relationship between the spouses to how parents interact with children. She unpacks how our relationships with others can impact our relationship to God and how the sac...
2025-03-1257 minKolbecast247 Lightbulb Moments for Young ReadersAMDG. Reading is a daunting topic for many homeschooling parents. Luckily, Kolbe teachers and Master’s Level Education Specialists Kristi Cramer and Jenny Todesco are here to help.
Kristi and Jenny answer the most-asked questions about reading, providing easy-to-digest answers and actionable steps that you can begin today. Tune in to learn how to assess your child’s reading ability at home; when your child should begin reading; common difficulties to watch out for and when to reach out for help; and the resources available in Kolbe Academy for struggling readers. “In education, there’s a rule of thumb...
2025-02-1948 minKolbecast246 Orientation toward the EternalAMDG. Alumnus and CVS health general management program developer Charlie Mihaliak steps on stage to share an inspiring message about the importance of education in the current cultural moment. "What we're facing right now," Charlie declares, "is an idolatry of this farce of limitless freedom as the key to happiness." Charlie reminisces on his own journey to happiness, from his own Kolbe graduation to becoming a business major-- a major he quickly switched, choosing theater as his focus instead. Charlie reflects on the lessons he learned during this chapter of his life; why he considers theatre as "three-dimensional metaphysics"...
2025-02-1233 minKolbecast245 The Odyssey's Allegorical OutlookAMDG. From sea monsters and magic spells to archery contests and family reunions, this book has something for everyone. Join Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan as they dive into the great Homeric epic, the Odyssey. The group discusses major themes to watch out for in the Odyssey, including family life and wisdom; considers the must-ask questions, like whether Odysseus changes throughout the story; and provides you with a complete summary in easy-to-digest pieces.
Whether you’re reading the Odyssey for yourself or just want to know what to ask your children about, this is the episode for you. Don’...
2025-02-0558 minKolbecast242 Finish Line in SightAMDG. Kolbe seniors Ignatius, Dhilan, and Agnes join the Kolbecast to share an insider look at life as a Kolbe student. From their honor society activities to aerial acrobatics and magic, these students keep their schedules packed. The students share a range of experiences of homeschooling life, from taking music lessons at the University of Notre Dame to life on the road. What do all the students have in common? An impressive list of accomplishments and a love for learning that shines through in every sentence.
Listen to hear about the challenges and successes these students have met...
2025-01-1555 minKolbecast240 Entry Points for Evangelization -- Jimmy Mitchell's Let Beauty SpeakAMDG. “This is about making heaven crowded.”
Assistant principal at Jesuit High School and author Jimmy Mitchell shares his many years of experience evangelizing in his new book, “Let Beauty Speak.”
Jimmy reveals how to identify the right individualized approach to talk to someone about the faith as well as the role of beauty in conversion. He discusses his life story, from joining the seminary to traveling the world.
“At the age of thirty-eight, I feel like I’ve lived three lives,” Jimmy muses, “there’s very few things I haven’t done.”...
2025-01-0150 minKolbecast238 Pat Millea on Accompaniment, Hope, Integration, and ResilienceAMDG. Catholic youth minister and podcaster Pat Millea joins the Kolbecast to share his journey from parish work to beginning an integrated Catholic therapy center. Pat explains what “integration” means; how a good therapist should sit with their clients; what “admonishing the sinner” really looks like; why parents shouldn’t protect their children from failure or suffering; how to guide children through discernment; the real meaning of self-care; why telling someone to “offer it up” can be unkind; how our day to day suffering can still be redemptive; and advice for beating the holiday stress. Listen to the end for a few spec...
2024-12-1859 minKolbecast237 Unearthing a Broader WorldviewAMDG. Kolbe science teacher of almost 30 years Leslie Spencer has stories to tell. Before she joined the Kolbe team, Leslie lived in a yurt in China while working as an English teacher. More recently, Leslie traveled to Athens and investigated recent archeological discoveries. Leslie reveals details about what the team uncovered that you have never heard before! Leslie discusses the greatest discoveries of the last 100 years; shares her wisdom on educating high school students, including advice for students who are afraid of being wrong or speaking in front of others; advises parents on how to teach science at home...
2024-12-1157 minKolbecast235 The Disposition of Pilgrimage with Joan WatsonAMDG. Looking to deepen your relationship with God this holiday season? Join our conversation with Catholic pilgrimage leader and podcaster Joan Watson to discuss her experience in Catholic ministry. Joan shares impactful stories from her pilgrimages, including her transformative trip to Rome at age 15; explains the difference between a pilgrimage and a vacation; teaches us how to make a pilgrimage at home; lays out everything you need to know before taking a pilgrimage; and reveals details about her upcoming book and Jubilee year pilgrimage opportunities. Tune in for uplifting stories and transformative insight to inspire you in your faith.
...
2024-11-2753 minKolbecast232 Part of the Family - Parents & Advisors as PartnersAMDG. What exactly is a Kolbe advisor? Advisors Rylan Buchanan and Krysten Pizzurro join the Kolbecast to share an insider-look at how the academic advisor team collaborates with parents and students to meet their academic goals, from course selection to college planning. Rylan and Krysten talk about their backgrounds in homeschooling and their journeys to becoming Kolbe advisors; how the advisor role developed into what it is today; the services available to families; the questions everyone should ask their advisors; and some surprising ways your advisor might be able to help you in your homeschooling journey.
Links me...
2024-11-0643 minKolbecast231 Centures Old Yet Never Timelier with Amb. Eduard HabsburgAmb. Eduard Habsburg, archduke of Austria and ambassador of Hungary to the Holy See, joins the Kolbecast to discuss his brand-new book, Building a Wholesome Family in a Broken World. Amb. Habsburg expresses the difference between American and European attitudes towards homeschooling, faith, and family life; gives a glimpse into his life as a Catholic, homeschooling father and ambassador; lays out the historical view of homeschooling; breaks down the principle of subsidiarity in American vs. European politics; and shares his guide to building a happy, fulfilling marriage and family life, including practical tips for young adults to implement now...
2024-10-3052 minKolbecast230 A Multi-Pronged Approach to College PrepAMDG. Applying to college is no easy feat. From PSATs to transcripts, college visits, and gap years, it can feel like the decisions are endless. In this episode of the Kolbecast, we break down every stage of the college application process, from building a strong transcript to choosing the right college for you. Returning guest Erica Treat and academic adviser Cecilia Byers join the Kolbecast to share their insider expertise and easy hacks you can implement now to set yourself or your child up for success in the college world.
Timestamps
7:45 college visits
12:10 the co...
2024-10-2357 minKolbecast228 No Holding BackAMDG. When COVID-19 broke out, Kathleen decided to enroll her daughter in Kolbe Academy until the pandemic ended. Four years later, Kathleen’s daughter is still a Kolbe student and almost two years ahead of her peers in school— and she’s not slowing down any time soon. Kathleen discusses how she navigates being a homeschooling parent while maintaining her full-time job; adjusting the course plan to meet her daughter’s interests; maximizing the flexibility of Kolbe’s program; the benefit of sports for competitive students; and gives an intimate look at what day-to-day life can look like for a Catholic...
2024-10-0945 minKolbecast225 On the Same (Greco-Roman) PageAMDG. Join Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan for the next installment in their continuing conversation about the humanities, sprinkled with fascinating tidbits of history and their best advice on reading The Iliad with your children or even on your own! The group discusses their own progress reading The Iliad with their families; the benefit to seeing a time before Christ; why we approach the gods differently than early Christians; the relationship between ancient history and myth; what to look for when reading The Iliad and what to talk about with your children. Whether you’re a student, homeschooling parent, or ju...
2024-09-1857 minKolbecast223 Pick Up the Pen and Write featuring Master Penman Jake WeidmannJake Weidmann knows the science behind his art. With a background in psychology, Jake is now a professional artist and calligrapher. On today's episode, he shares the history of calligraphy and why it is so important to human beings; explains why you should turn off autocorrect; breaks down the psychological impact of sending hand-written letters; advocates for starting handwriting young; and divulges his best tips and favorite resources for calligraphy beginners.
More information about Jake & the resources he mentions:
Jake’s website
The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH)
3.5 minute penmanship video ...
2024-09-0448 minKolbecast222 Something No One Has Understood Before with Dr. Daniel KueblerAMDG. PhD biologist and stem cell researcher Dr. Daniel Kuebler wasn't always a science major. Dr. Kuebler began his academic as an English major at Catholic University of America before transitioning to biology for his master's and doctoral degrees. Now a professor of science at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Dr. Kuebler educates a new generation of students on biology and the "big questions," from evolution to the latest developments in cell research to the history of science itself.
Dr. Kuebler discusses the benefits of a well-rounded education, citing his background as an English major; reveals what inspired h...
2024-08-2855 minKolbecast219 The Upside of Anxiety with Dr. Kevin MajeresAMDG. Catholic psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Majeres rejoins the Kolbecast for a discussion on anxiety: one of the most common, but also most misunderstood, emotions. Working from the definition that anxiety is an urge to avoid challenge, Dr. Majeres describes how he helps his clients live by ideals that they freely commit to rather than living under the control of their past; explains how you don’t defeat things by forgetting them, but by building new things; and alludes to how mindfulness plus metaphysics equals contemplation.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:
188 Dr. Kevin Majeres Sees Challenges as Opportunities
185 Develop...
2024-08-0755 minKolbecast218 The Questions behind the QuestionsAMDG. The high school years are formative as teenagers develop autonomy and independence in the world. In this episode, theology teachers Dan Angel, Brendan Murphy, and Nick Senz share their experiences of and perspectives on teaching apologetics, morality, and more to high schoolers. The conversation includes discussions of open question boxes and cultural references in class, connecting on an interpersonal social level with their students, and how they respond to resistance and skepticism from their students about cultural and societal big questions.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:
195 Greatness Awaits with Dan & Bobby Angel
169 No Made-Up Answers with Brenda...
2024-07-3156 minKolbecast217 Spoilers of a SortAMDG. The art of storytelling involves decisions about perspective, themes, and emphasis, and good storytelling goes on to inspire questions and discussions. Dan Bielinski rejoins the Kolbecast on this special bonus episode to describe storytelling decisions and discussions related to his feature film, End of the Rope available for Kolbe families to stream as a financial aid fundraiser. In the context of moviemaking and movie-watching, he, Bonnie, Steven, and Maggie Hayden discuss discerning family viewing choices, questions of justice and community, and the phenomenon of anger begetting anger.
*contains spoilers* If you’re considering watching the film and *d...
2024-07-2440 minKolbecast216 Searching for Something We've Forgotten with Trae BaileyAMDG. We’re all searching for something we’ve forgotten. Today’s guest describes his search for reintroduction to reality through both foundational texts and sense experiences. Trae Bailey, currently Director of Residence Life at Belmont Abbey College and formerly Dean of Student Life at Magdalen College, highlights familial and societal dynamics that are important conduits for the fullness of reality, describes the importance of students taking on responsibility of their education, and emphasizes the importance of wonder.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes:
27 An Appreciation of Wonder
188 Dr. Kevin Majeres Sees Challenges As Opportunities
212 Portable Treasure with Abigail Palmer
H...
2024-07-1758 minKolbecast215 New School Year Starter KitAMDG. Just enrolled? Considering enrolling? Returning but feeling overwhelmed? Today’s episode is for you. Dean of Admissions Jeanne Anne Ford and customer support supervisor Colleen Pilon share their go-to guidance on organization and inspiration for a new school year, from answering the top questions they get on repeat to tips and tricks they recommend on the regular. Together with Bonnie and Steven, they provide practical pointers on balancing structure and flexibility.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes
105 Not Just for Special Occasions, concerning socialization
103 Above & Beyond with Nancy Nelson from the Kolbe Academy bookstore
32 Reflections of His Light with Kolbe A...
2024-07-1052 minKolbecast214 A Long ViewAMDG. As parents of five Kolbe alumni, Charlie and Dee-Dee Mihaliak have a wealth of experience with Kolbe and home education. They visit with Bonnie and Steven in this episode about how homeschooling grew from a project to a lifestyle for their family. The Mihaliaks describe their delight at the dinner table conversations their grown children now have, give an unvarnished account of challenges they faced, and highlight the intergenerational dynamics that developed through the flexibility of defining your own family’s schedule.
Check out the Mihaliaks’ Domestic Monastery shop here.
Kolbecast episodes mentione...
2024-07-0356 minKolbecast213 This Is a Beginning - Commencement 2024AMDG. Our 2024 commencement ceremony featured voices of experience ranging from new graduates and experienced teachers to ancient philosophers and modern novelists. Listen in on this episode to those speeches, including student speakers Aiden Jagrowski and Jacob Kavanagh, faculty speaker Elizabeth Hoxie, and keynote speaker Msgr. James Shea.
Timestamps for the speeches:
01:05 Msgr. Shea’s invocation
02:09 introduction of and remarks by Kolbe Academy Executive Director Mrs. Mary Rowles
04:09 Aidan Jagrowski
12:38 Jacob Kavanagh
19:55 Mrs. Elizabeth Hoxie
26:24 Msgr. James Shea
Kolbecast episodes featuring this year’s commencement speakers:
Student speaker Jacob on episode 209 Kolbe Kids Give Gems of Information ...
2024-06-2656 minKolbecast212 Portable Treasure with Abigail PalmerAMDG. We live in unprecedented times—or do we? Can a classics degree set you back in the job hunt? What do you do when primary sources seem daunting? Longtime friend of Kolbe Academy Abigail Palmer joins Bonnie and Steven to talk about these big questions and more. She describes how lack of familiarity with history leads to fear and how being fearful leads to being malleable, she explains how studying antiquity gives perspective, and she highlights overlaps between Latin and classics on one hand and coding and tech innovation on the other.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes:
100 In the B...
2024-06-1959 minKolbecast211 Continuity & Community · Homeschooling on BaseAMDG. Families who homeschool in various states or countries during military service have all the complexities of “regular” families and then some. Kolbe moms and advisors Krysten Pizzurro and Jennifer Thomas share the wisdom they’ve gained from their lived experience of homeschooling on base. They highlight what questions to ask your advisors and when, the benefits and unique needs of military families, and how to make connections and build community while frequently moving.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes
81 The When and the How of Online Elementary
31 Veteran Homeschoolers
107 Wander & Wonder
155 Mission Intent: Pathways to Serve
156 Mission Intent...
2024-06-1246 minKolbecast210 Firm GroundingAMDG. Experienced Kolbe mom Deirdre Mundy joins Bonnie and Steven in this second half of a two-part conversation on the lessons and insights she’s gained from homeschooling her eight children. She explains the ways her family has taken advantage of Kolbe’s flexibility, talks about developmental milestones and the changes in dynamics that come as kids grow into greater independence, and puts things in context with raising children to take on their own relationship with God as they mature.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes:
202 A Great Conversation, the first part of this conversation
200 Transition Years
60 Mission: Possible
70 First Draft...
2024-06-0537 minKolbecast209 Kolbe Kids Give Gems of InformationAMDG. Current Kolbe students and brothers Jacob, Gabriel, and James visit with Bonnie and Steven today about their day-to-day lives, their experiences with Kolbe, and their insights for their fellow students. Highlights include their various extracurricular activities and how they juggle their commitments through various time management styles, how they prepare for graduation, what it’s like for younger siblings to watch older siblings navigate high school, what it’s like to use an American-designed curriculum in Canada, and their parish life participation.
Meet the boys’ mother Tricia in Kolbecast episode 190 The School of Patience.
Other re...
2024-05-2955 minKolbecast208 A Mosaic of ExperienceAMDG. In this episode, we gather alumni in various stages of life post-graduation to discuss the dividends their Kolbe education is now paying. One-year alumnus Ian describes his transition to college life; five (ish)-year alumnus Charlie describes the ways his Kolbe formation serves him both in the work world and in his growing family; and ten (ish)-year alumna Hope describes the integrated worldview she brings to her adult life. The three alumni also share some of their favorite memories of homeschooling, provide words of encouragement and advice to current and prospective families, and let listeners in on the...
2024-05-2259 minKolbecast207 A Privilege of a LifetimeAMDG. Tune in to our newest two-parter of episodes last week and this, where we visit with longtime Kolbe moms recently hired on as Kolbe employees. Elyse Williams puts the day to day of homeschooling life into perspective of the bigger picture to be seen as she visits with Bonnie and Steven. She highlights the differences in various seasons of parenting, from elementary school to high school; provides reassurance and encouragement; and describes the beauty of the mind encountering God day in and day out through homeschooling.
Click here for more information about Kolbe’s academic advising servic...
2024-05-1558 minKolbecast206 Loaves & FishesAMDG. Tune in to our newest two-parter of episodes this week and next, where we visit with longtime Kolbe moms recently hired on as Kolbe employees. Margaret Malek joins Bonnie and Steven today to share her experience with peaceful, confident homeschooling through Kolbe and getting the important pieces done around being on the go. She discusses identifying priorities, trusting God to multiply resources, and her family’s three big goals: love God, love each other, and love learning. She also touches on persevering through the feeling of being a failure, managing school with littles around, and riding the wave of cha...
2024-05-0845 minKolbecast205 Gratuitous Love with Kaiser JohnsonAMDG. Actor, writer, homeschool alumnus, husband, and dad Kaiser Johnson joins Bonnie and Steven today for a conversation on the love story of creation. Starting with sharing his experience of deepening faith as an adult, Kaiser discusses how he lives out his desire to love more like God loves while having a career, a job, and a vocation all at once. He highlights the importance of doing the work set before you and the skill of “learning how to learn” that homeschooling developed in him.
Related links:
Kaiser’s website
Kaiser’s books Grit & Glory: Cross Training Your...
2024-05-0158 minKolbecast204 Habits of Ownership with Jacob ImamAMDG. Education rightly formed helps students see and serve God in a practical way while both sustaining this current life and preparing them for the next. Oxford graduate and VP of Finance for the College of St. Joseph the Worker, Jacob Imam, visits with Bonnie and Steven about how structural flaws in current higher education tend to cause an “ongoing adolescence,” how the College’s innovative program of combining book learning with the skilled trades is designed to bring a different approach, and how the changing nature of our understanding of work is behind both problems and solutions.
Links men...
2024-04-2457 minKolbecast203 Guided FreedomAMDG. In this episode, we bring back a style of podcast we haven’t done in a little while: a deep dive into part of Kolbe’s curriculum. We focus on classical composition with instructors Sarah Foulkes and Grace Berg, who explain how classical composition is a curriculum which seeks to educate students to think logically and develop rhetorical skills for both writing and speaking; how the middle school years when classical comp is offered are sometimes forgotten but full of opportunity; and how boys in particular respond well to the structure and toolbox that classical comp provides.
2024-04-1755 minKolbecast202 A Great ConversationAMDG. Experienced Kolbe mom Deirdre Mundy joins Bonnie and Steven in this first half of a two-part conversation on the lessons and insights she’s gained from homeschooling her eight children. Deirdre shares reasons why her family chooses for traditional homeschool options and year-round school rather than online classes and summer breaks; advice for families where the parents do not have a classical education themselves; and opportunities for scholarships. She also highlights the importance of allowing your kids to see you try, fail, and try again in learning new things, as well as the distinction between schedules and rhythms.
L...
2024-04-1039 minKolbecast201 The Soundtrack of LifeAMDG. Join us for the second in our multi-movement reflection on music. Carl Hasler and Olivia Knuffke visit with Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan about how music can be a kind of beauty that stretches your soul; the way that “classical” music can build stamina, attention, and the ability to sit with something new—but also the way that “classical” music can be a misnomer; reminiscences of the first time each of them heard various pieces; and the ongoing exchange between what a piece of music brings to you and what you bring to it.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:
2024-04-0359 minKolbecast200 Transition YearsAMDG. In the 200 episodes since we rebooted the Kolbecast, we’ve heard from a lot of significant voices. In this episode, we hear from two of the most significant Kolbeans: our students. Ninth graders Noah (who does a hybrid of self-paced and online classes) and Caleb (who does all online) visit with Bonnie and Steven, where the real-life long-distance friends share about their typical school days, their happy and cautionary memories, the lessons they’re learning about both diligence and rest, the effort they invest in their education and formation, and the things they like to do when they’re not w...
2024-03-2754 minKolbecast199 Jason Craig: Do Good Work and Read Good WorkAMDG. If you want to make boys into men, it requires a brotherhood of men to set a disciplined example. Jason Craig joins the Kolbecast today to visit about calling men to conversion and brotherhood. He, Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan discuss disorders of loneliness in today’s society, the imbalanced emphasis on mothers to the exclusion of fathers in various homeschooling discourses, and the necessity of living out mercy and community locally. He also compares and contrasts centripetal and centrifugal forces in current life, shares about the organization Fraternus, and describes his experience of homesteading. All in all, his message...
2024-03-2057 minKolbecast198 The Sign of Our Salvation: Dr. Gilbert Lavoie on the Shroud of TurinAMDG. The Shroud of Turin—a burial cloth evidencing Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection—has become a research focus for Dr. Gilbert Lavoie, a physician who’s been practicing medicine for many years. In this episode, Dr. Lavoie takes an unflinching, clinical, and forensic approach to recount how he used his medical training in service of examining and understanding the Shroud. He discusses with Steven, Jordan, and Bonnie the process he went through to reveal the sign of our salvation hidden in the Gospel of John that awaits us.
Listener note: the topics discussed include clinical descriptio...
2024-03-1356 minKolbecast197 Tools in a Toolbox: Kolbe Academy's Student Support ServicesAMDG. Children don’t come with instruction manuals, so having resources to help road map out various challenges can benefit everyone in a family. In this episode, Karen Allgood and Krysten Pizzurro join Bonnie and Steven to describe the vast array of services available through Kolbe’s student support services and special education offerings. They describe the individualized attention they provide and the confident communication they foster in situations where families may be uncertain they can fulfill a child’s need. They also touch on the importance of documentation and accommodations, the concerns about being labeled or just needing to try har...
2024-03-061h 01Kolbecast196 Adaptable Asynchronous & Dynamic Digital Homeschool OptionsAMDG. Today’s episode demystifies the self-paced program and describes upcoming changes that will streamline and improve Kolbe’s asynchronous course offerings. Chrissy Almanzar, Bonnie, and Steven discuss how self-paced classes fit into Kolbe’s three ways to educate; weaknesses in the older versions of self-paced courses that Kolbe is currently revising; and ways the upcoming changes support parental autonomy, accountability, and practicality for families.
Check out the webinar about the asynchronous program for more details.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:
118 Odysseys in Catholicism
38 Pro Omnibus Contendit, containing a discussion on the principle of subsidiarity
29 The February...
2024-02-2859 minKolbecast195 Greatness Awaits featuring Bobby & Dan AngelAMDG. Brothers Bobby and Dan Angel visit with Bonnie and Steven today about how the human soul is meant to be challenged toward greatness. Through a discussion ranging from video games to running marathons, they touch on ideas such as the fact that we’ll never grasp the fullness of truth in this life; the call the humans feel toward adventure, fellowship, and community; and the importance of anchoring ourselves in body and soul reality.
For more information:
Bobby’s book Gaming and the Heroic Life
JackieandBobby.com
Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:
146 Stepping into the Arena...
2024-02-2153 minKolbecast193 STEM, State Schools, and Sibling DynamicsAMDG. We cover a trifecta of topics today that homeschooling parents tend to fret about: STEM, state schools, and sibling dynamics. Kolbe alumni Erin and Michael O’Donnell visit with Bonnie and Steven about their experience with Kolbe and how they transitioned to college, the tradeoffs that come with various kinds of college settings, and how the adjustments for a homeschooled college freshman overlap with those for a brick-and-mortar-schooled freshman. They also talk about the shift in workload from Kolbe to college, how they practice and explain their faith in a setting where Catholics are a minority, and what th...
2024-02-0753 minKolbecast192 Kitchen DoingsAMDG. Creativity and frugality, experimentation and reflection, community and solitude, fasting and feasting...the kitchen is a place for all of these pairings and more. Today’s episode invites Kolbe online instructors Neva Hernandez and Chelsea Plesko into conversation with Bonnie and Steven about feeding family. With voices representing multiple stages of parenthood, from toddlers waving in shopping carts to teenagers readying to fly the nest, the group’s discussion reflects the liturgical year and the practicalities of daily living.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:
182 Festive Holidays Ahead: Preparing, Adapting, Delighting
181 Chef Dad
178 Cultivating Kitchen Stewards with Katie Kimbal...
2024-01-3153 minKolbecast191 A Window into the Ancient World with Mike AquilinaAMDG. Mike Aquilina—vice president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, author of more than 50 books, homeschool father, and expert in Church history—joins Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan today for a discussion about the pre- and post-Incarnation world. The conversation includes lessons to be drawn from the apostolic fathers, the Church’s indispensable role in the development of charitable institutions, and the idea that to learn history is to cease to be a protestant. Along the way, Mike’s references and connections range from the philosopher Nietzsche to the rock and roll hall of famer Dion.
Links: ...
2024-01-2453 minKolbecast190 The School of PatienceAMDG. Today’s guest speaks from fourteen years of homeschool experience raising eight boys. Tricia Kavanagh joins the Kolbecast from Ontario, Canada, to share her approach, insights, and outlook on both work and rest. She, Bonnie, and Steven discuss homeschooling in times of both acute and chronic illness as well as the learning and formation that parents develop alongside their homeschooled children. They explore the idea of balancing parents being the primary educators of their children with outsourcing—or in Steven’s phrase, subcontracting—to enrich children’s education in areas where parents feel they have weaknesses. And they share a fe...
2024-01-171h 06Kolbecast189 Fit Mind, Fit BodyAMDG. St. John Paul the Great had a great love for the integration of physical activities and virtues. That passion is built into Kolbe’s approach to and curriculum for physical education. In this episode, Chris Bates and Christina Davin visit with Bonnie and Steven about how physical movement can be a daily source of joy for homeschooling families. From getting the wiggles out during class to staying active in times of year when the weather isn’t hospitable, the group discusses the importance of intentionality and opportunities to build fitness, find satisfying activities, and occasionally inconveniencing ourselves for the...
2024-01-1053 minKolbecast188 Dr. Kevin Majeres Sees Challenges As OpportunitiesAMDG. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Majeres, Catholic psychiatrist and co-founder of Optimal Work (among many other things), brings words of wisdom for the start of a new calendar year.
Dr. Majeres explains that many truths in psychiatry and neuroscience are in line with our Catholic faith, in particular how some of the concepts of reframing, mindfulness, and challenge are important steps in our lives of walking with Christ. These ideas can be applied to the many facets of daily life to help us accept and meet challenges, grow in holiness and virtue, and help ourselves and ea...
2024-01-031h 14Kolbecast187 The Impact of the IncarnationAMDG. Tune in to this episode for our hosts’ yearly Between the Years conversation—part retrospective, part preview of what’s to come. Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan talk about the apocalyptic side of Advent, share favorite Christmas and New Years family traditions, and talk about some of the things they’re looking forward to on the horizon of 2024.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned & relevant:
34 A Beauty-Linked Life with Dr. Carol Reynolds
179 Translation Tug of War with Dr. Matthew Minerd
186 Full Circle (of Fifths)
145 Subsidiarity, Support, and Resources highlighting the Student Support Services program
78 The Kolbe Man Show
100 In the Beginning w...
2023-12-2755 minKolbecast183 Gratuitous Gifts: Sherry Weddell on CharismsAMDG. Think about the idea of being the answer to someone else’s prayers. Does that seem humbling or overwhelming, frightening or appealing...or maybe a mix of all of those? In this episode, Sherry Weddell of the Catherine of Siena Institute visits with Bonnie and Steven about the idea of charisms. These gifts are different from sanctifying graces in that they are given to us for us to give away. Sherry explains how every baptized person receives at least one charism, how all the charisms are evangelizing and healing, and how charisms spring to fruitfulness from a lived relationship...
2023-11-2959 minKolbecast181 Chef DadAMDG. Gather in our metaphorical kitchen with Bonnie, Steven, Tony Guzzaldo, Everett Buyarski, and Craig Lengyel as the men don their oven mitts and talk food and cooking. From stories of learning to cook early in marriage to discovering the chemistry of cooking, the group muses on how the kitchen can be a place of socializing or of solitude, the importance of feasting as a foil to fasting, and the connection between an abundant table and the goodness of creation. They also share a few favorite memories and current go-to recipes.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes:
78 The Kolbe Man S...
2023-11-1554 minKolbecast180 Grace & Accompaniment in Times of Crisis featuring Anne DeSantis AMDG. Family dynamics understandably influence the day to day of homeschooling. When crisis comes—be it separation or divorce, job loss, health emergencies, anxiety and depression, relationship issues, or other trauma—feelings of isolation and stigma can cause ripple effects in a family. In this episode, Bonnie and Steven visit with homeschool alumni mother Anne DeSantis of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation, which offers prayer, priestly consultation, podcasts & videos, and programs & events for families in crisis. They touch on a variety of topics, such as the benefits of seeking help from someone outside of a normal social sphere for greater...
2023-11-0853 minKolbecast179 Translation Tug of War with Dr. Matthew MinerdAMDG. Professor and translator Dr. Matthew Minerd joins Bonnie, Steven, Jordan, and Everett in this episode about making connections across rites, languages, and disciplines. Starting with a discussion of various Eastern rites of Catholicism, the group explores the blend of traditions throughout the Church, the art of finessing words from one language to another in translation, and the endeavor of teachers to stir up a love of learning in their students.
Dr. Minerd’s works available from Ascension Press
Made by God, Made for God: Catholic Morality Explained
translation of Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Fran...
2023-11-0157 minKolbecast178 Cultivating Kitchen Stewards with Katie Kimball and Kids Cook Real FoodAMDG. Kids in the kitchen can be enriching or unnerving for all involved. In this episode, Katie Kimball of Kitchen Stewardship and the creator of the Kids Cook Real Food course shares her passion and expertise for collaboration among family members in feeding and nourishing a household. Building from her four pillars of health and nutrition, time, budget, and environment, Katie highlights some of her best tips for meal planning, budgeting, and preparation. She also talks about good times to teach children new cooking skills, how to accommodate and incorporate food sensitivities in a menu, and how anxious parents can...
2023-10-2555 minKolbecast177 Tabletop Theology with Alexi SargeantAMDG. Writer, theater maker, game designer, and alumnus of Kolbe and Yale University Alexi Sargeant joins the Kolbecast in this episode to discuss community and storytelling in the past, present, and future. He speaks with experience as both a student and a teacher about encountering Shakespeare and other dramatic works meant to be spoken, highlights the intersection of theology and culture, and nerds out with Steven and Everett Buyarski about the role of the fantastical in a life of formation.
Alexi’s wife Leah Libresco Sargeant spoke at Kolbe Academy’s 2023 Call to Holiness Retreat. Leah’s presenta...
2023-10-1842 minKolbecast175 A Both-And Approach at The University of Dallas featuring Dr. Jonathan SanfordAMDG. University of Dallas president Dr. Jonathan Sanford joins Bonnie, Steven, and Chief Academic Officer Megan Lengyel in this episode to discuss how students flourish at UD, particularly when they have a Kolbe foundation. Dr. Sanford describes how the school is a thoroughly Catholic university with a bigger set of offerings than most and how multiple charisms present on campus help preserve and further UD's Catholic identity. He also shares insights on scholarships and standardized test strategies; distinguishes the humanities from the broader liberal arts; and highlights preparation for med school, law school, and market-relevant business opportunities. With a ki...
2023-10-041h 04Kolbecast174 Kolbe’s Chiaroscuro with Anthony D’AmbrosioAMDG. Our patron St. Maximilian Kolbe is known for the heroism of his final days, but those acts were the culmination of the virtuous life he lived before his internment at Auschwitz. In this episode, visitor to the Kolbecast Anthony D’Ambrosio shares his special perspective on St. Max, which is based on his work developing the film Kolbe’s Passion and the intimate connection he forged with the saint during his own time of crisis. Anthony, Bonnie, and Steven discuss the relationship between suffering and faith, the grappling with despair and disillusionment that is inescapable in modern life, and the...
2023-09-2747 minKolbecast171 Forming Financial Disciples with Jonathan & Amanda Teixeira of WalletWinAMDG. Many of us aren’t familiar with what the Catholic Church teaches on money, finances, and possessions. We think of missionaries as being poor, but that isn’t always the case—from hair shirts to heiresses, the saints have had a wide range of financial situations and gifts. In this episode, Jonathan and Amanda Teixeira of WalletWin join the Kolbecast crew to discuss handling money virtuously. From discerning how we can best use our resources and give them back to God with increase to the idea of “maximum fruitfulness,” the Teixeiras share how helping young people say yes to God’s call...
2023-09-0646 minKolbecast169 No Made-Up AnswersAMDG. Kolbe teachers educate their students, sure, but their bigger role is to help their students’ formation. Today mathematics chair Wes Stratman and theology teacher Brendan Murphy share their own roads to Kolbe and how those roads prepared them to help their students explore for themselves rather than check boxes in class. Along with their teaching philosophies and a few favorite stories, Wes and Brendan also share tips for getting the school year off to a good start.
Relevant links:
Kolbecast episode 132 Monday Morning Assembly featuring Wes Stratman and others affiliated with Kolbe’s Monday morning schoolwid...
2023-08-2347 minKolbecast168 The Adventure of a Lifetime featuring Melissa Dee of Saints AliveAMDG. If the saints have ever felt inaccessible or unrelatable to your family members, hearing their stories in a different format may help them come alive. In this episode, Melissa Dee—homeschool graduate, mother, and producer of the Saints Alive podcast—joins the Kolbecast to share how she, her husband Alex, and their team produce episodes that she describes as watching a movie in your mind. Melissa highlights the heart of each saint’s mission and explains how learning about the holy individuals who came before us is a way to learn about virtue played out and real-life role models. ...
2023-08-1648 minKolbecast167 Sanity & Sanctity with Johanna Seagren of Interior KingdomAMDG. How we respond to meltdowns and dysregulation is as crucial to family life as praying together, eating together, and extracurriculars. Catholic licensed professional counselor Johanna Seagren visits the Kolbecast on this episode to describe the importance of emotions and the Interior Kingdom program that she developed to co-regulate emotions in parents and children. The conversation highlights how God created emotions, how the morality of emotions is not in the feelings themselves but in the actions growing out of them, and how happiness is not our goal—peace within ourselves based in the peace of Christ is. Johanna also off...
2023-08-091h 00Kolbecast165 Now I Know GodAMDG. The conversations we started at Kolbe’s commencement events in Atlanta a few months ago continue to yield fruit. Today’s guest, Jennell Kvistad, joins us to continue one of those conversations today. The group first discusses helping teenagers and newly 18-year-old offspring ease into adulthood. From there, Jennell shares both her family’s road to homeschooling with Kolbe and her personal road to joining the Catholic Church just last year. With vivid specifics, plenty of humor, and even a bit role for the Kolbecast itself, Jennell’s conversion story is profound and encouraging.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned...
2023-07-2659 minKolbecast162 Let Latin Conquer YouAMDG. In the second installment of our linguistic trifecta, Bonnie and Jordan revisit a conversation begun long ago on the Kolbecast, and Steven and Maggie Hayden join in. More specifically, Jordan and Maggie share their enthusiasm for and expertise in Latin: what drew them toward the language, the hidden benefits of learning it, the practical benefits of knowing it, the correlation between studying it and standardized tests, the clarity of thought and writing it brings, and more.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned and relevant:
7 Et Tu, Iordane?
161 Fostering a Linguistic Consciousness
Kolbecast episodes cover a range of topics...
2023-07-051h 02Kolbecast159 Now We See in PartAMDG. A podcaster, a Latin teacher, a development director, and an attorney walk into the same room... It’s not a joke, although there’s plenty of joking—it’s a live-recorded episode from Kolbe’s commencement festivities in Atlanta, GA! Bonnie, Jordan, Steven, and Bonnie’s sister Hope (original Kolbecast host, current behind-the-scenes podcast crew member, and Kolbe alumna) gather around one mic to describe and explore the experience of meeting to celebrate newly minted alumni. They give listeners some context on the schedule of events, describe the ambiance and value of a virtual school’s in-person commencement, and forecast a bit o...
2023-06-1455 minKolbecast157 Renewal, Revival, Variety, and Unity with Patrick ReillyAMDG. Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society rejoins us to discuss renewal and reform in Catholic education during the 30th anniversary year of the Newman Guide. He describes the aspects of competition and emulation he sees in Catholic schools, examples of God’s providence at work, and the missing foundation in most secular education. He also shares with enthusiasm the ideas that everything in nature has a cyclical effect and the four pillars of his taskforce for Eucharistic education: literacy, liturgy, devotion, and living. Listen through the end for pragmatic thoughts on dual enrollment and demonstrating college readiness.
Kolb...
2023-05-3155 minKolbecast154 Passport: ArgentinaAMDG. We’re adding another stamp to our Kolbecast passport in this episode with Kolbe alumna and advisor Agostina Cavasotto. Agostina joins us from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to share her experience and perspective from both sides of the lesson plans, such as routines that served her well when she was studying with Kolbe and advice she gives to families in her current role. She also describes a bit of the culture of her area, from perspectives on homeschooling in Argentina to its signature flavors and music.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes:
103 Above & Beyond with Nancy Nelson of the Kolbe b...
2023-05-1049 minKolbecast152 Join the ConversationAMDG. We love hosting visitors from across the Kolbe and wider communities, but sometimes it’s nice to take a breather and check in with each other. In this episode, Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan do just that. They honor the memory of the incomparable Mrs. Dianne Muth, Kolbe co-founder, voice of wisdom, and skydiver; they talk about Jordan’s recent writing projects and Steven’s work in highlighting Kolbe’s mission; and they reflect on taking the long view on things to nurture a love of learning and truth over the course of a lifetime.
Recordings with and about...
2023-04-2651 minKolbecast139 Glorifying God through Film with Daniel BielinskiAMDG. Storytelling is foundational to the human experience, and the more new media develop, the more options are available for families to select from. Today filmmaker, homeschooling dad, MFA graduate of Columbia University, and chair of the dramatic arts department at the University of Mary Daniel Bielinski joins the Kolbecast to talk about making films that celebrate faith, perseverance, courage, grit, and redemption. He describes his focus on telling good stories from the get-go and creating projects which are intrinsically Catholic but not preachy or stereotypical. He also shares his perspective on approaching big questions and difficult matters of bein...
2023-01-2355 minKolbecast137 Remember Your WhysAMDG. As the doldrums of January and February set in, we turn to one of the most important topics for homeschooling families: encouragement. Karen Allgood, Julie Meyers, Jamie Coelho-Kostolny, and Maggie Hayden join us to share their whys for homeschooling, the highs and lows they see in their own families and their Kolbe families, and some affirming moments they've experienced that brought peace and reassurance during days of struggle. If you’re in a time where some disasters are obvious and some solutions aren’t quite visible, or if you’re just feeling the weight of some cold short winter da...
2023-01-111h 03Kolbecast136 Cura Personalis - The SequelAMDG. Today we continue a conversation we started with Elizabeth Hoxie in Episode 112 on the Ignatian tenet of care for the whole person. Far from being a trendy #selfcare fad, cura personalis captures the truth that what we do with ourselves during each day—our intellect, emotions, and bodies—forms us into the saint God wants us to be. Through intentionality in approaching each day and recognizing that God didn’t make us to be frantic, cura personalis can help us avoid the temptation to over-commit regarding some things while under-committing to others. In this way, we can live out the re...
2023-01-0445 minKolbecast135 Hidden Holiness Made KnownAMDG. In this special Christmas break episode of the Kolbecast, Bonnie, Steven, and Jordan gather for a catch-up over coffee. Jordan describes where he found inspiration for a new line of essays published in Prime Matters and gives listeners a preview of some of his future works in store. The group reflects on the question of what life and virtue were like before the incarnation compared to after, as well as how Kolbe invites students into the discussion of this central part of our history. They also discuss being known by saints, encountering their former selves’ writings along with the pe...
2022-12-281h 01Kolbecast132 Monday Morning AssemblyAMDG. Kolbe students form connections and community through online interactions. While many of these interactions happen through online classes, extracurricular activities are rich in opportunity for friendship and formation as well. Today, student leaders from two online groups—the Spiritual Life Club and the Kolbe News Show—and some of their instructors and mentors join the Kolbecast to describe how clubs, assemblies, and other extracurricular projects work in a digital forum. They describe how the liturgical life of the Church becomes integrated into students’ days, share some of their favorite memories and club events, and highlight their favorite study strategie...
2022-12-0756 minKolbecast131 It’s All about Relationship featuring Danielle BeanAMDG. Voice of experience and wisdom Danielle Bean joins the Kolbecast today to share insights from her path. From being a self-described reluctant homeschool to describing homeschooling as the biggest, best, and hardest thing she’s ever done, Danielle describes the changing seasons of life that come with parenthood. She, Bonnie, and Steven reflect on building a family culture, teaching by example, and embracing the season where you are. Struggling to hang in there with your stage of family life? Make sure to listen through the end for Danielle’s encouragement!
Danielle’s website and podcast Girlfriends
podcast...
2022-11-3051 minKolbecast126 Digital CitizensAMDG. Teaching students responsible ways to use the internet is more important now than ever. Today Kolbe’s chief academic officer Megan Lengyel and her husband Craig, a cybersecurity specialist for some of the world’s largest tech companies, visit with the Kolbecast team about computer safety. Craig describes how prevention and education are key, emphasizes the importance of ongoing conversations with children about what’s appropriate and what’s not online, and shares some practical tips. Megan describes Kolbe’s proactive digital management, from monitoring live online classes to fostering safe searching when students are assigned research projects
Links men...
2022-10-2650 minKolbecast121 Roots & WingsAMDG. Voice of experience and mother of eight children ages 12 to 26, Michele Resuta, joins the Kolbecast today to share some of the wisdom she’s developed through 21 years of homeschooling with Kolbe. The conversation covers everything from practicalities like bulk cooking and daily Mass to big questions of building strong foundations and the value of responsible stewardship. Michele talks about catering to students’ strengths and weaknesses, describes some of her tried-and-true methods for finding extra oomph to be patient on hard days, and tells of edifying moments with adult children. Those in the thick of it, take heart—this episode i...
2022-09-211h 05Kolbecast116 Things I Would Tell My StudentsAMDG. Jordan Almanzar is familiar to podcast listeners as a voice of experience related to podcast hosting, teaching, and public relations, but today we get to hear a different side of him: Jordan as scholar. He discusses some of his recent and not-so-recent writings with Bonnie and Steven, including reflections inspired by marginalia in his Latin books and the contrast between classical brutality and Christian compassion. The team also discusses what it means to be neighbors, enemies, artists, or infants.
Kolbecast episodes mentioned or relevant:
111 What Treasures Remain, day 3 of the 2022 Kolbecast Convention
79 Doors to Your Me...
2022-08-1758 minKolbecast114 Kolbe Past, Present, and FutureAMDG. Kolbe’s Executive Director Mary Rowles visits with Bonnie and Steven today about Kolbe's origins, evolution, and outlook. As she describes how Kolbe has grown from a family business and apostolate and its response to rise in demand during the pandemic, Mary’s openness to service is clear—as is her innate leadership, with a tone that brings out the best in people and an emphasis on putting values to practice.
Relevant Kolbecast episodes:
72 Participatory Citizens
100 In the Beginning with Mary’s mother Mrs. Dianne Muth
103 Above and Beyond with Mary’s sister Nancy Nelson
63 The Saints S...
2022-08-0351 minKolbecast113 At the Kolbe Table * Convention Day 5AMDG. Homeschool conventions offer the opportunity for curriculum providers to take their shows on the road, but this week we’ve brought the show to you. Listen to this year’s convention finale for insights, updates, and wisdom from Megan Lengyel, Everett Buyarski, Nicole O’Connor, Chrissy Almanzar, Tony Guzzaldo, and Maggie Hayden. The discussion includes the various enrollment options Kolbe offers, advice for getting back in the school state of mind, and an exclusive code for podcast listeners to avoid late enrollment fees.
This is Day 5 of the 2022 Kolbecast Convention. Previous episodes include
Day 1 with Dr. Georg...
2022-07-2953 minKolbecast111 What Treasures Remain * Convention Day 3AMDG. If we made a list of FAQs about the Kolbe curriculum, the top question would likely be why Kolbe begins high school with Greek history, literature, and philosophy. Today’s episode explores that question through a roundtable discussion with some of our resident experts: Kolbe history chair Therese Prudlo, philosophy professor Dr. Don Prudlo, former college philosophy professor and current Kolbe instructor Dr. Carl Hasler, and Kolbe literature teacher Michelle Kim. Highlights of the conversation include how early Christian thinkers had to appeal to the Greek intellect, how a classical education combats the American tendency toward collective forgetfulness, and h...
2022-07-271h 01Kolbecast110 Choosing the Greatest Good with Matt & Erin Ingold * Convention Day 2AMDG. The universal call to holiness is a call to excellence in every person’s given state of life, but it can be daunting to take this abstract commission and live it out in a practical and fun way. Catholic mindset coaches Matt and Erin Ingold visit with us today about exactly that. The Ingolds speak from a background in a variety of sacred and secular wisdom—from St. Thomas Aquinas to cognitive behavioral therapy—to share their insights on how parents and families can structure their thinking and their lives to experience more of the things they value. They also...
2022-07-261h 03Kolbecast109 A Lifetime Venture with Dr. George Harne * Convention Day 1AMDG. The pursuit of human flourishing in this life and the next takes a clear understanding of what it means to be human. Today, Dr. George Harne, Executive Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, joins Bonnie and Steven to discuss the distinctive ins and outs of classical education. Describing a classical curriculum as “more than old dusty books,” Dr. Harne vividly describes the way this kind of education fosters understanding of both personhood and purpose. He also explains how studying organized bodies of knowledge and sequences of learn...
2022-07-2549 minKolbecast93 Good ThinkingAMDG. What do jazz music, Thomas Aquinas, and Nietzsche have in common? Listen to this week’s episode and find out as Dr. Carl Hasler and current Kolbe students Hannah, Luke, and Teresa talk with Bonnie and Jordan about Kolbe’s philosophy course and club. They share their insights on why the philosophy course and club are worthwhile even though philosophy is woven throughout Kolbe’s history, literature, and theology classes; describe how enriching a basis in philosophical discourse can be; and touch on what distinguishes the philosophy club from a debate club.
If you’ve already enrolled fo...
2022-04-0644 minKolbecast75 Minor VictoriesAMDG. Today is all about minor victories--those day brightening graces and breaks in the clouds that give us reassurance and motivation on the homeschooling journey. And to celebrate our 75th episode since the Kolbecast relaunch, we wanted to celebrate you, our listeners! Bonnie, Steven, Brigid, and Lauren share their own minor victories as well as those sent in by parents, students, and teachers through our social media channels. Cheers to figuring out nap schedules, transitioning between brick-and-mortar school and homeschool, finding a rhythm, seeing independence and collaboration develop, growing in confidence and trust, and so much more. As a b...
2021-12-0143 minKolbecast30: Guiding the ShipAMDG. Familiar voices Everett Buyarski, Megan Lengyel, and Nicole O’Connor join the crew today for a review of the past year and a preview of the next. They discuss the challenges that came with Summer 2020’s amazing growth in enrollment, as well as the increased service and support infrastructure they’ve developed. They also share exciting developments for 2021-2022, including improvements to the elementary grade scheduling, expanded AP class offerings, Kolbe’s new National Honor Society chapter, and the addition of Homework Hangouts. We bring it home with how the Kolbe team has seen the benefits of the Kolbe Difference in thei...
2021-02-1052 min